MANILA, Philippines - Colombian fighter Jesus Geles was automatically disqualified to vie for one of the three titles staked in the Pinoy Pride XVI fight card tonight at the Resorts World Manila after failing to make the 112-pound limit for his fight against Filipino Milan Melindo. (Related story on A-20)
Weighing three pounds above the limit in the official weigh-in at the Robinson’s Galleria yesterday, Geles is required to wear heavier globes (10 ounces) in climbing the ring versus Melindo.
The Colombian will also get a 10-percent deduction from his purse in the fight for the newly created WBO international flyweight crown.
Melindo, tipping the scales at 111, will use the regular eight-ounce globes. Should the Filipino lose, the throne will remain vacant.
Inactivity in the last few days caused Geles the trouble.
“He flew to Germany and back to Colombia before proceeding to the Philippines. That proved to be his mistake,” said a member of the foreign group.
Donnie Nietes and Felipe Salguero both found no problem making the limit for the WBO light flyweight championship.
They both weighed 108 pounds and each one insisted readiness to win the bout headlining the fight card presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports.
Salguero has said he came over to the Philippines to strip Nietes of the crown and bring it home in Mexico.
“Certainly, I’m going to beat him,” said the Mexican challenger during the media launch Thursday at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila.
Nietes said he’s prepared himself well for the fight, making him confident he can defend the crown he won over Ramon Garcia, also a Mexican.
The other main supporting bout pits Genesis Servania versus Mexican Genaro Garcia in a fight for the WBC international silver super-bantamweight championship.